"The Mad Monster," another PRC production in their line of comic-book style "horror" films, is worth a viewing, mostly for Geroge Zucco's over-the-top performance as the mad, homicidal scientist, Dr. Lorenzo Cameron. Disgraced and humiliated ten years earlier for his then unproven theories regarding the transference of animal characteristics to humans, Cameron, having now - in a manner of speaking - "perfected" his technique, seeks revenge on those scientists who disgraced him. Glenn Strange gives a good performance as Petro, the simple-minded, gentle-giant who Dr. Cameron uses as the subject for his experiments and the instrument of his vengeance. Anne Nagel (Lenora Cameron) plays the obligatory over-trusting daughter of the mad scientist and Johnny Downs (Tom Gregory) the usual PRC-type love interest and, here, a reporter with the usual dedication to ferreting out the truth. Sarah Padden (Grandmother) is a hoot as the pipe-smoking, "Mammy Yokum" type. All the other actors are adequate in their roles. You know from the beginning how its going to end - the fun is in how it gets there. Good rainy-afternoon or late-night stoned out viewing.

Another PRC cheapie about a mad scientist (who yes, laughs maniacally at given intervals) who perfects a serum to turn a man into a "wolf". His unwilling subject, a slow gardener named Pedro (or "Peedro" as pronounced by a one character) spouts the usual facial hair and fangs, and seems to be nonplussed about why he's fully dressed and knows to go home to his master whenever he's done killing people. The police of course, are BAFFLED at all these murders. Fairly incompetent, but totally fun watching, as ridiculousness piles up (such as a jungle/forest populated only by wolves. Fun stuff.

NOTE: A smaller primary file with okay quality is here: http://archive.org/details/The.Mad.Monster

Atmospheric swamps are the setting for this tale of scientific madness. A bit slow moving at times, but there are definite compensations. George Zucco goes nicely over the top as a whacko scientist bent on revenge. However, the main attraction is Glenn Strange as a simpleton gardener turned hairy werebeast. As usual he's a hoot and a half. The versatile Sarah Padden has a minor role as a pipe smoking backwoods granny. Typical of PRC, the sets and other production values are first class by B-feature standards. The print is in okay shape. If mad science is your thing, check this one out.

As a footnote, Johnny Downs (1913-1994), who plays reporter Tom Gregory, was an early cast member of Hall Roach's "Our Gang" comedies. Downs, son of a U.S. Navy aviator, played the affable and entertaining "Johnny" in 24 two-reeler "Our Gang" silent short subjects between 1923 and 1927. During his stint at Roach Studios, the ten-year old Downs became fast friends with little Mary Kornman, an original "Our Gangs" cast member with famous golden curls. They remained close friends for life. Downs went on to cultivate his innate singing and dancing skills in both vaudeville and on the Broadway stage. He used these developed talents to good effect in a number of Hollywood "college musicals" in the latter 1930's. Downs drifted into newfangled television in the 1950's and found his niche as an immensely popular host of a children's cartoon and "Our Gang" rerun show broadcast in the local San Diego-California market. This work he did for 17 years.

There isn't a wasted scene in this above average old-style monster movie. George Zucco, Anne Nagel, and Glenn Strange (who played Frankenstein's monster in both House of Frankenstein and House of Dracula) give good performances. Spooky, primeval sets and doleful organ music are a plus.

I downloaded the 512Kb MPEG4. Video and audio quality are Ok.

excellent movie.the lighting effects throughout the entire last third of the film,is as good as any top universal horror film.it's a joy to see little gems like this.

He did look a little embarassed to be seen in this movie though.

I think this is a very good movie. I like the make-up for Glen Strange and George Zucco gives us a great performance1

I enjoyed this movie when I saw it first a long time ago. Now, I can barely get through it. George Zucco has always been a fun actor, but this quickie just isn't one of the best. I don't hate it at all though.

The movie starts with a guy tied up in a dungeon with a coyote.
The mad scientist asks him if he is afraid.
"I ain't got no reason to be afraid".
HE'S TIED UP WITH A COYOTE; IN A DUNGEON.
Now you know why the monster is mad.

I'll point out that there are moments in this film in which the lead mad scientist's performance are interesting, perhaps even compelling. There are other moments when it is not. The rest of the cast deliver deadline flat characters acting in a poorly constructed world.

This movie moves as quick as a Corman film. A disgruntled scientist takes revenge on his peerÃÂs by transforming his unbeleavalely dumb gardener into a werewolf. As the werewolf carries out his campaign of off-screen carnage, a Jimmy Olsen (?) type reporter is tracking down the stories of a strange creature killing people. And at the same time the scientist daughter is oblivious to her fatherÃÂs madness and defends his scientific credibility till the end. Some how it has a happy ending, but I keep falling asleep and missing the end.

Be sure to look for these exciting scenes:

A girl playing with a ball!
A dumb guy talking while strapped to a table!
Flashbacks of the Mad Scientist being made fun of!
And the end credits